knudsen@ihnss.UUCP (08/31/83)
Just finished reading Consumer's REports big article-set on personal
computers, and was very impressed by its depth of comprehension.
They fully explain the value of third-party soft and hardware
("...it keeps the Apple popular despite its dated design"),
OS'es, compatibility, and mince no words about all the extras
you have to buy to make a "system".
They discovered (?) some th9ings I didn't know (eg, Atari BASIC stinks
and so does the manual). (Now I'm glad I couldn't afford an 800
last year).
They do a nice job of grouping PCs into four categories and comparing
within types. CU sometimes stubs its toes when venturing into specialist
ares (like stereo and cars), but, despite some particular disagreements
with their PC article, I'd have to rate it one of the best discussions
and summaries available -- certainly should be studied before reading
Popular COmputing's Buying Guide or such publications.
Any comments from the rest of you? How'D your favorite machine fare?
(Mine was picked as the best starter comuter, but badmouthed w.r.t
expansion to disk system). mike keric@aplvax.UUCP (09/01/83)
The big problem with the report is one that always haunts Consumer's Reports - namely that their reports are often dated by the time they are published. As a prime example of this is their not paying much attention to the Commodore 64, saying there is no software support. A quick trip into your local software shop will show that this in no longer the case. Also, Atari is dropping the 400 and 800 in favor on new models. And finally, the prices are dropping rapidly on all the systems, which might effect how someone views a system. Still, it was a noble effort and well done given the handicaps they were fighting. eric ...!seismo!umcp-cs!aplvax!eric
dlm@machaids.UUCP (09/01/83)
I say that article also. Although I think they did a good job teaching themselves about the subject and relaying that knowledge, I don't think that the information resented would help me AT ALL in trying to make a choice.
abc@brl-bmd@sri-unix.UUCP (09/04/83)
From: Brint Cooper (CTAB) <abc@brl-bmd> The trouble with the comments on the CR review of home computers is that they are usually of the form "...it was good but wouldn't help me at all..." Of course not! The report was aimed at the naive, unsophisticated potential user who never heard of this discussion group. Any of the commentators who felt that the article was of little value could probably have written at least a part of it! Brint